What's your experience with snooty HiFi salesmen?

Audio Vision in San Francisco is as snobby as they come, and seem to be more interested in stroking their egos. If you don’t look like you can afford the stuff, they talk down to you and actually make snobby jokes at your expense...never had this happen to this extent despite being in the hobby for over 40 years. I’ve owned some very exotic stuff from Wilson, BAT, AR, Focal Utopias, Krell, etc. most purchased new from local dealers. (I've finally settled on SET and home brewed stuff). So sad...some dealers just don’t get it.

Newbee, I think your attitude is a tad bit harsh. Even if we are very busy people we have to allow for others in a social interaction. We as individuals are just not too important for that imho. Many young people are trying to earn a living. It’s completely okay for them to want to socialize and if they are sales people, to eant to succeed in meeting their quota. Doesn’t mean one is obligated to buy anything. If we love audio and so do they, that’s common ground. Most will not try to force too hard, and will understand if you are not interested in buying anything but what you have interest in. In a box store such as Best Buy, many of those employees will be impressed with the knowledge and experience many of us audiophiles possess. I just think its good to share positivity with people, especially young people.

I'm also glad to see Natural Sound mentioned.

I started going in there back in the early 90's as a college student. They were always patient with my tire kicking... I took advantage of their trade up policy and assembled a system I still have today.

Recently,I would drive by there wondering if they were doing OK, with all the internet sales and discounted websites.As I haven't been in the market for a long time. I eventually decided to upgrade my B&W speakers.

After a couple demos at a different dealer, for a brand NS didn't carry and one they didn't stock. I scheduled a demo for a pair of Revel speakers at NS, Mark was more hands on than the other salesman, but never pushy or rude. After starting me off with a few tracks he recommend, he let me choose my music and volume level, while he leaned back and nodded his head  along with the music. I ordered the Revels a few days latter!

Aaron at Safe and Sound was also great to deal with. No pressure, but a few hints as to what he liked or thought I would.

He even demoed the speakers with the amp I bought from him a month ago. He just set up the speakers, handed me a tablet and said take as long as you want.

I bought the amp after my second visit as I sometimes feel guilty for wasting their time.

IMO the customer dictates how the salesperson will react. There is always the "know it all guy" that can’t stay silent or the "everything is overpriced" how do you expect a salesperson to react? I talked at length to a Sonus Faber rep. regarding the Maxima Amator after a brief demo I told him the speaker was to polite(soft) for my taste he respected my opinion and suggested the Nova series. Since the Nova 3 was set up I listened and concluded the Nova 3 was superior to the Maxima, he disagreed but we respected each others opinion. If you make an effort to give a positive first impression you will never have an issue.

Sadly, Audio snobbery pushed me to purchase almost entirely on the internet.

I used to work in a record store/audio retailer in the 70s.

Back then it was fun and about the music. Over time it became almost a competition for audio stores/salesmen to show how much more they knew, and how much your gear sucked compared to theirs